Teaching a lesson

Next to the middle school front office, there’s a bin labeled: Student Drop-Off.

(It’s not where students are placed.) It’s where parents can deliver items that students have forgotten to bring with them to school that day: a library book, an instrument, a packed lunch …

As I placed an item in the bin, the office administrator explained to me with a laugh, “It’s not a big deal. It happens, all, day, long.”

One might think, “Enablers! Teach these kids a lesson!”

And there are plenty of lessons to be taught. Indeed, comeuppance is so plentiful, everyone — kids and grown ups alike — will get a fair dose from time to time.

But there are also times when we need mercy. When we need kindness. When a little help is better than a little lesson.

Sometimes the lesson we teach others is not that they’re alone and solely responsible for their success and failure. Sometimes the lesson we teach is that we’re loved and part of a supportive team.